Double tube connection



eb 1927 R. H. sMlcKLE DOUBLE TUBE CONECTION Filed Feb. 2v. 1926 \..m TI MII w N Patented Feb. l, 1927.,

D STA-T ES taaie rn'rsur rtree;

RAYMOND H..SMICKLE, OF BELVIDERE, NEW JERSEY, ASSGNOR TO INGERSOLLRAND COMPANY, OF JERSEY CITY', NEW JERSEY, A COREORAFIION OF NEW'` JERSEY.

DOUBLE TUBE CONNECTON.

Application led February 27, 1926. Serial No. 91,095.

This invention relates to rock drills, but more particularly to fluidY actuated rock drills ofthe hammer type which employ tubes for conveying pressure fluid andwater tothe drill steelfor removing cuttings from the drilled hole.

The objects of the invention are to eliminate the chances of leakage of water into the percussive element of the rock drill and to lessen the number of parts comprising connections of this type.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in` part`- pointed out? hereinafter.

The invention `consists of the combinations off elements, features of construction, and arrangement of parts having the general mode of operationsubstantially as hereinafter described andmore particularly pointedf out in the appended claims and illusltrat-ed in the accompanying drawings, in,

Figure 1 isa longitudinal view, partly in section, ofa.- rock drill equippedwith a double' tube connection constructed ,in accordance-with the practice of the invention,

Figure 2 is an enlarged; detail vie-w in longitudinal section'of a portion oftheback head of a rock drilljllustrating more clearly the manner in which the tubes are supported,` and Figure 3' is a. transverse view taken through Figure 2 on the line 3*-3 looking` in the direction of the arrows.

` Referring to the drawing, the invention is shown embodied in a rock drill having a cylinder A, a back headB and a front head' CL Between the cylinder and theback head' B is arranged a rotation ratchet D. The foregoing named part-s comprise the casing of the `rock drill and' may be held in operative position with. respect to each other in any suitable and convenient manner, preferably by the usual side bolts (not shown).

lVithin the cylinder A is a reciprocatory hammer piston Ehaving a forward fluted extension F which extends through a front cylinder washer Gr and engages a correspondingly fluted rifle nut l-l supported by a chuck J. The chuck J in this instance is rotatable inthe front head C and carries at its forward end clutch members K which interlock with similar clutch members L form-ed on a chuck jaw O. Disposed slidably within the chuck `iaw O is a hollow drill steelP to receive the blows of the hammer piston E. The drill steel P in this instance is held against rotation with respect to' the chuck jaw@ by wings Q carried by thedrillsteel which engagesutable flats R formed in the forward end of the chuck jaw O. i

Suitable means are provided for rotating the drill* steel l? through the interlocking chuck parts and the piston E. To this end a flutedlriflebar S engages a rifle nut secured in the rearward end of the piston E and has a ratchet head U in which are arranged suitable spring pressed pawl' devices V adaptedito engage the rotation ratchet D during movement of the piston E in one direction, preferably during its rearward stroke'. During the forward stroke of the piston'Fi, the'pawls V will'be released from thev rotat'on` ratchet D and thus permit thek drill steellD to remain stationary while the blow of the hammer piston is being deliveredto said steel.

Pressurefluid for operatingthe drill is in this instance supplied through a suitable connection W secured to the backhead B andthe admission of such pressure fluid to the drillV may be' controlledby any suitable throttlel valve (not shown)` in theback head B' andhaving athrottle lever X. Pressure tluidfthus'admitted to the drill may be distributed to the endsy of the cylinder by a suitable valve (not shown) in a valve chest Y.

In accordance with the present invention, a pair of; hollow tubes Z' and Z9 are arranged longitudinally through the drill'to convey cleansing' fluid to the drilled hole for removing cuttings therefrom. ln this instance thetubes are arranged concentrically with respect to each other. and the outer tubev Z servesyas' an air tube and is of sufficiently largerdiameter than the tube Z) so that a spaceV orv passage c exists-between theinner wallv ofthe tube Z andV the outer wall of the tube b. The tube Z is of a length to extend at its front end to a point near the rearward endof-'the drill'steel P andlcarries near its rearward end a bulb CZ which cooperates with-a seat e in a water plug f and intermediate the ends thereof to hold said tubeV against longitudinal movement in one direction. The water plug f in this instance has a screw threaded portion j and a forward tapered portion 7c which cooperates itl() Ulti with a tapered seat 0 in the back head B to 'form a fluid tight joint and thus prevent leakage ot' water into the cylinder A.

lVithin the water plug is formed a recess p into which is arranged slidably a sleeve q having a recess r ot substantially the same diameter' as the tube Z to receive the end of said tube. The sleeve Q in this inst-ance is also provided with a bore s which cooperates with the tube for holding' said tube coneentrically within the tube Z. The bore s terminates at its rearward end in a seat t with which a bulb u formed on the tube may cooperate to form a fluid tight joint. A plug o screwed into the end of the recess p is provided with a recess w to receive the end off the tube b. Flats m formed. on opposite sides olf the plug o provide a convenient means for screwing the plug o into the recess p thereby forcing the bulbs u and CZ, on the tubes and Z respec` tively, firmly upon their seats. A passage 3/ leading from the recess w to the outer end of the plug o is adapted to convey water to the tube b.

The tube Z) may communicate with a source of water supply (not shown) through a passage e lormed in the back head B to communicate `with a longitudinal groove 2 formed on the outer surface of the water plug f. A cap 3 screwed on the end of the water plug f serves to direct such water trom the groove 2 to the passage 3,/ in the plug e and also to form a closure for the rearward ends of. the water tube parts.

Pressure fluid may be supplied to the tube Z from any suitable source, preferably from the throttle valve, through a passage 4 formed in the back head B to communicate at its inner end with the tapered seat 0, pi'eterably at a point midway between the ends oit said tapered seat. An annular `groove 5 on the tapered portion oit the water plug f atlords communication between the passage l and radial passages 6 in the water plug 'I'he passages 6 in this instance cominunicate with the interior of the tube Z through radial passages 7 formed through the wall of the tube, preferably forwardly of the bulb (Z.

In operation or" the rock drill, the hand le X is turned to the required position for admitting pressure fluid for operating the percussive element ot the drill. In this position of the throttle valve, a portion of pressure fluid is admitted through the passages leading to the tube Z, from whence the pressure fluid will pass'to the drill steel I). At the saine time water may be admitted through the passages connecting the tube l) with the water sup-ply. The pressure of the water thus admitted is not at all times sulicient to raise the cuttings from the bottom of the drilled hole. Owing to the pressure fluid flowing through the tube Z unfluid and will thus be carried into the drilled hole with suflicient force to thoroughly flush the drilled hole and prevent the accumulation oit cuttings on the rock face upon which the drill steel is operating.

Ihisinvention has been found to be elli cient in operation, it is inexpensive in construction and comprises only a small number of parts. Other desirable advantages are that the parts comprising the tube assembly may be thoroughly sealed so that there will be no leakage of wat-er into the interior of the rock drill and by means of. this construction there are no compressible packings required, such as rubber or other similar materials, which frequently assume ay set form and thus cause considerable leakage of water into the percussive element of the drill.

I claim:

1. In a fluid actuated rock drill, the combination of a back head with a water plug, a tapered portion on said water plug, a tapered seat in the back head to receive the tapered portion, a pair of concentrically arranged fluid conducting tubes in the water plug, a seat in said water plug for one of the tubes, a sleeve Jfor holding said tubes in spaced relation with respect to each other and forming a seat for one of the tubes, anda plugin the water plug to cooperate with one ot the tubes for holding the tubes firmly on their seats.

2. In a fiuid actuated rock drill, the combination of a back head with a water plug, a tapered seat in the back head, a tapered portion on the water plug to cooperate with the tapered seat for forming a fluid tight joint, a pair ot concentrically arranged Huid conducting tubes in the water plug, said tubes having bulbs near corresponding ends, a seat in the water plug and intermediate the ends thereof for the bulb ou the outer tube, a sleeve in said water plug to cooperate with the bulbs for holding the tubes in spaced relation with respect to each other, a seat in said sleeve for the bulb on the inner tube, and a plug in the water plug cooperatingl with the bulb on the inner tube for torming fluid tight joints between the bulbs and their seats.

5:3. In a huid actuated rock drill, the combination of a back head with a water plug, av tapered seat in the back head, a tapered portion on the water plug to cooperate with the seat for forming a fluid tight joint, a pair ot concentrically arranged fluid conducting tubes in the water plug, said tubes having bulbs near corresponding ends, a tapered seat intermediate the ends of the water plug for the bulb on the outer tube, the outer tube having a plurality oit radial passages, a sleeve in said water .plug to cooperate with the bulbs for holding the tubes in spaced relation with respect to each other, a seat in said sleeve for the bulb on the inneiI tube, a plug in the Water plug cooperating with the bulb on the inner tube for forming fluid tight joints between the bulbs and their seats, passages leading from a source of supply for conveying Huid to the inner tube, and passages through the tapered portion of the Water plug communieating with a source of supply and With the radial passages in the outer tube for delivering Huid to said outerl tube.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification.

RAYMOND H. SMICKLE. 

